FEELINGS, IDEAS, AND Thoughts of Heart

The Colorado Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) and JEWISHcolorado strongly believe targeted hatred in any form must be swiftly and unequivocally denounced by our nation’s leaders. We appreciate the strong actions taken by the leadership of both parties - including all members of Colorado’s Congressional delegation - to denounce these efforts. There is no justification for people openly quoting Nazi propaganda and chanting spiteful anti-Semitic and racist epithets. Not condemning these actions in Charlottesville empowers dangerous rhetoric and action against America’s minority populations.

“This recent display of national anti-Semitic activity strikes a startling chord throughout our community and throughout communities across the nation,” said Ben Lusher, Chair of the JCRC. “When the nation gives the slightest bit of oxygen to white supremacy and Nazi demonstrations, the entire country is in danger. There is absolutely no moral equivalency between a Nazi demonstration and those protesting racism and anti-Semitism.”

“Bigotry, racism and anti-Semitism have no place in a free society. Such actions cannot and must not be normalized on any level,” said Diana Anderson, JEWISHcolorado Board Chair, “The fact that these demonstrators openly marched in full view of the country speaks volumes to their emboldened perspective. Their calls for white supremacy must not go unchallenged.”

As Jews, and as minorities, we unfortunately understand the very real consequences of fear, hate speech, hate crimes and bigotry. These actions as displayed in Charlottesville are unacceptable in American society. The United States was founded on the grounds of equal rights for all people and must continue to be a beacon of freedom, tolerance and diversity for all who dwell in its borders.